Tokyo, 12 December 2024
On December 11th and 12th, 2024, the 2024 Asia and Oceania International Anti-Doping Seminar was held in Tokyo, Japan. The event was opened by Prof. Takao Akama, Chairman of the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA). The seminar had the theme “Empowering Clean Sport Community: Sharing Practical Insights and Fostering Collaboration”. As it is known, the World Anti-Doping rules are regulated in a document called “The Code”, in which the document has been implemented by 192 member countries, and 749 organizations having become signatories.
Dr. Yaya Yamamoto, Director of the Asia / Oceania Office, WADA delivered material on the Rebalancing System which is very important in building a clean sport ecosystem between anti-doping communities. Then continued with the WADA Strategic Plan 2025-2029 for the Preparation of the 2027 Code and International Standards. The 5 Priorities of the Anti-Doping Strategic Plan are as follows:
- Leadership: Raising global anti-doping standards to achieve uniformity and effectiveness.
- Maximum Impact: Increasing the efficiency of anti-doping programs through targeted initiatives, resource consolidation, and digital infrastructure development.
- Focus on Athletes: Emphasizing the role of athletes in anti-doping efforts, through engagement, training, and acting as clean sport ambassadors.
- Collaboration: Mobilizing all stakeholders to protect clean sport through close collaboration and synergy.
- Performance Improvement: Increasing the efficiency of the global anti-doping system by monitoring, measuring doping trends, and evaluating cost-benefit.
Mr. Tim Rickets, as WADA Testing Director mentioned points related to Athlete Inclusion in the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS), which always starts and ends with the athlete inclusion / removal email. The filing date used to be prior to the date of the 15th, before the start of the quarter activities, so that the Out of Competition Test (OOCT) can be carried out on the first day of each quarter. Filing Failure will be counted from the date of 15th. The Anti-Doping Organization could conduct OOCT outside for the 60-minute time slot at least once. Urine sample collection for RTP athletes is at least 3 times via OOCT. Mr. Tim Rickets mentioned several things that may change in filling out Whereabouts, which may change in 2027. Mr. Colin Allen, as WADA Education Manager, said that there was a positive impact from the International Standard of Education (ISE) from 2017 to 2021, in which values-based education increased by 51%. There would be changes to ISE 2027 which will be 75% thicker, more detailed in terms of explanations, based on data and practice, the WADA Education Directorate has the ambition to “raise the bar”.
Presentation from Mr. Kenny Lee & Mr. S. Perumal, as WADA Asia/Oceania Manager. Anti-Doping Organizations are divided into several levels, starting from levels of 1 to 4. Related to that level, the Indonesian Anti-Doping Organization is included in level of 2A, the same level with Hong Kong, Mongolia and the Philippines. Each level is further divided into several small groups based on several factors, such as:
- The number of athletes participating in the Olympics and Paralympics, as well as intercontinental championships;
- Medals and winners at major events;
- Per capita income of a country.
Learning from Japan, which is the host of this seminar, to achieve WADA’s strategic priorities, especially to improve performance and collaboration points, JADA holds weekly meetings to coordinate the selection of RTP and TP athletes, discuss athletes who need to be reminded to fill in whereabouts before the deadline, and discuss what education and information should be conveyed before major sporting events. So that there can be good synergy between education and testing to prevent doping.